News Releases
JUNE 20, 2024
Author Visit with Seana Smith!
BY JAMES BENNETT
We were very lucky to receive a visit from Seana Smith! We toured the James Bennett warehouse and asked MANY a question!
Was there an extra challenge with writing your personal story, over your other non fiction titles? What were they?
??My past work, including The Australian Autism Handbook, Beyond the Baby Blues and Sydney for Under Fives (now found here) were fairly "simple" They were factual and fairly straight forward. It was a incredibly satisfying to be able to help by sharing case studies and more personal stories of others who have dealt with similar situations.
Going Under has a dual narrative, focussing primarily on my own journey to sobriety, as well as my father's relationship with alcohol. ?
Firstly, as it's such a personal story for myself, as well as my family; it does make one ask whether we are 'allowed' to tell these stories, is it 'fair' for those who are no longer able to comment on them? However, at the same time, it was an incredibly cathartic and liberating experience, to be able to process the past.
Additionally, it pushed me creatively to find my own voice.
What is your favourite book, author or genre?
Memoir and historical fiction mainly.
I am really enjoying Julie Goodwin’s Your Time Starts Now as well as Nova Weetman’s Love, Death & Other Scenes.
Where was your childhood library?
It was a prefab building in Scotland! I remember walking there and the librarian was a friend of my mum’s, and they would keep books aside for us – not to mention, we also got to experience the library after-hours!
What is the BEST thing about libraries?
The choice! You can walk in with nothing and no idea, and walk out with half a shelf and ALL the ideas!
How do you organise your books at home?
I can’t say I’m entirely on top of it. I’ve got nostalgia books, anything to do with Scotland and Rebus. Then, there’s the ‘just read’ bookcase, the Latin shelf, and the shelf of my own novels. The ‘definitely reading these next’ shelf in the sitting room, some in the garage, and the op-shop books.
What book should everyone read at least once in their lifetime?
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis - this was the first book to completely transport me.
Order the book on JBO by clicking the link below or find Seana here.
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